The Bible Across Cultures: The Dutch-South Africa Linguistic Pipeline
The Bible Across Cultures: The Dutch-South Africa Linguistic Pipeline
By Nina Jacobson
Project Synopsis
This essay explores the development of Dutch to Afrikaans Bibles, from the early translations to more standardised versions, highlighting their historical context, sources, and significance with a specific focus on the Book of Matthew which appears in the New Testament. The texts referenced are the 1526 Jacob van Liesvelt edition, the 1637 Statenvertaling (SV), and the 1933/1953 Afrikaanse Bybel.
| Categories | Bible | ||
| Title | Jacob van Liesvelt Bible | Statenvertaling | Afrikaans Bybel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 1526 / 1535 | 1637 | 1933/57 |
| Place | Antwerp | Dutch Republic | South Africa |
| Contributor(s) | Jacob van Liesvelt | [thanks to the ‘Reformed Churches’] | |
| Language(s) | Dutch | New Dutch | Afrikaans (Standardised) |
| Source | 1535 Liesveldt Bible | 1637 De Statenvertaling Ravensteyn Editie | Die Bybel |
Introduction to the Bible
The history of Dutch Bibles is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of religious texts and their role in shaping cultural and spiritual identities. Dutch Bible translations have eclectic origins, reflecting the diverse influences on the language and culture of the Netherlands. Dutch translators drew from the Vulgate, the Delft version, Luther’s works, the 1531 Zürich edition, and even translations by German Anabaptists like Hans Denck and Ludwig Hätzer.
Description | Analysis
History of Production
The earliest Dutch Bible translations emerged at the beginning of the 16th century. Jacob van Liesvelt, an active printer in Antwerp from 1520 to 1544, played a pivotal role in this history. In 1526, the first complete printed Bible in Dutch appeared, significantly advancing the accessibility of religious texts to the Dutch-speaking population.
The differences between the van Liesvelt edition and the SV are largely grammatical, as an agreed upon grammar for the Dutch language had not yet been established at the time van Liesvelt began printing (Ponelis). The Dutch Reformation, which gained momentum in the 16th century, brought about a growing sense of national consciousness and a desire for religious texts that aligned with Dutch Reformed spirituality (de Vries). This movement led to efforts to standardise Dutch Bibles.
The Statenvertaling (SV), commissioned by the Staten-Generaal, the highest authority in the young Republic, and translated according to the decisions of the Synod of Dordrecht (1618-1619), became the best-known and most influential Dutch Bible translation (de Vries). It aimed to replace the Deux-Aes Bible, which was considered inconsistent and was not in line with the growing national and Reformed identity. The SV reflected the Dutch Reformed notion of inspiration, emphasising a literal translation from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek source texts. The SV was designed for both liturgical and private use, with rich paratextual features to aid study and private devotion.
The SV was used in the Cape Colony amongst the early Dutch settlers in South Africa. It also served as the source for the Afrikaans translation, which was first published in 1933. Afrikaans is a vernacular of the Dutch language and was standardised in the 18th century, some two centuries after the first Dutch settlers arrived in the Cape, in an effort to quell creolisation (Ponelis).
The illustrations that appear across these three versions are remarkably few. While the van Liesvelt version contains a variety of illustrations in the Old Testament, illustrations only appear at the beginning of each book in the New Testament. These illustrations are small woodcuts which serve as an introductory accompaniment to the ensuing scripture.
The history of Dutch Bibles is a tale of transformation, reflecting the evolving religious and cultural landscape of the Netherlands and the spread of its reach into the southern hemisphere.
Bibliography
Cameron, E. (Ed.). (2016). The New Cambridge History of the Bible: Volume 3, From 1450 to 1750. Cambridge University Press.
de Vries, L. (2008). Translations of the Bible and Communities of Believers: A historical and functional perspective on translating the Bible. 성경원문연구, (23), 172-195.
Hakkenberg, M. (1998). [Review of De Nederlandse Bijbelvertalingen 1522-1545., by A. A. Den Hollander]. The Sixteenth Century Journal, 29(2), 562–565. https://doi.org/10.2307/2544557. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
Hindman, S. (1975). The Transition From Manuscripts To Printed Books In The Netherlands: Illustrated Dutch Bibles. Nederlands Archief Voor Kerkgeschiedenis / Dutch Review of Church History, 56(1), 189–209. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24007214 Accessed 17 Oct. 2023.
Ponelis, F. (2002). The language ecology of a new Afrikaans Bible. Acta Theologica, 22(1), 280-289.
Waite, G. K. (1997). [Review of Dutch Translations of the Bible 1522-1545 / Dutch Translations of the Bible 1522-1545, by A. A. Den Hollander]. Renaissance and Reformation / Renaissance et Réforme, 21(4), 88–90. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43445158. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
